Reception - Toronto Lawn Tennis Club 2003 Report

Forty one people attended the reception held on Friday 21st March at the Toronto Lawn Tennis Club. Years of graduation ranged from 1945 to 1999 with a good spread in-between. There was an interesting cross section of geography with attendees coming from as far as Kingston and New Liskeard, as well as all around the GTA. John Payne provided some introductory remarks concerning the reactivation of the branch. A total of 427 invitations were mailed, about 100 responses were received, about 100 letters were returned address unknown, and approximately 200 others did not make contact or perhaps did not received the mailing.

An open discussion was held concerning possible activities or events that people would like to see. The main preference was for a formal annual dinner with a good speaker, much on the lines of the dinners held in the past. The fall, perhaps September or October, appeared to be the best time. Outside this, there was some enthusiasm for perhaps quarterly gatherings and also some interest in less formal gatherings such as pub nights, say on a monthly basis.

To formalize the branch a vote was held to elect the current volunteers as a committee. John Payne was confirmed as Chairperson/Secretary, Bill McConnell as Vice Chairperson and John Cary as Treasurer. The evening then continued on and, from the feedback received, seems to have been a success in renewing old friendships and acquaintances and making some new ones after such a long period of dormancy.